Asheville NC vs New Orleans LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
55.2%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 376,035 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 31.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 55.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,339 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,698 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 22.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 41.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 50.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Asheville, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 34.0% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.1% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.4% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.7% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.5% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 66.6 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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